The 35-year-old England batter has accumulated 13,943 Test runs from 163 matches and is fewer than 2,000 runs away from Tendulkar’s mark of 15,921.
He is widely considered on course to challenge the record within the next couple of years as his career continues at pace.
Tendulkar, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989, enjoyed a 24-year international career before retiring in 2013. He finished his career as the leading run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket, setting benchmarks that have stood for over a decade.
Root has reflected on the scale of Tendulkar’s achievements, admitting it is difficult to fully comprehend the consistency and longevity behind them, while continuing his pursuit of one of cricket’s most iconic milestones.
"Well, I get asked it enough times now that I can't really ignore it even if I try to," Root said.
"It's remarkable what Sachin Tendulkar achieved in the game. You have to believe me when I say that to even be in the conversation with him is enough for me.
"The guy made his Test debut before I was born and played in my Test debut! His longevity in itself is remarkable and then you look at the runs he got in Test cricket... but not only that, he's got 50 ODI hundreds, too."
England have ushered in a new era for their Test side by recalling Ollie Robinson, dropping Zak Crawley and handing maiden call-ups to Emilio Gay, James Rew and Sonny Baker for next month's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.
At 41, Samit Patel has brought the curtain down on a legendary English domestic career, a decision accelerated by an ECB ruling that rendered him ineligible for county competition.
Jacob Bethell says he would prefer to stay at number 3 in the batting order when England announce the Test squad to take on New Zealand at home in June.
Ben Stokes admits he got "quite lucky" after a suffering a "pretty nasty" facial injury that has ruled the England Test captain out for at least the next month.
